FAIRFAX, Va. – The National Rifle Association proudly announces the opening of America’s Rifle, a new exhibit at the NRA National Firearms Museum examining the evolution and popularity of AR pattern modern sporting rifles.

The year-long exhibit follows the history of AR pattern rifles from their development to their uses today in competition, hunting, recreational shooting, and personal defense. Featuring more than a dozen rifles, America’s Rifle highlights influential predecessors like the M14, G3, and FN-FAL in addition to the M16 and AK47. This educational exhibit illustrates the significant differences between the select-fire military type rifles capable of full-auto and the semi-auto AR pattern sporting rifles owned by millions of civilians.

“There is so much history to be told about the AR pattern rifle’s development,” said NRA Museums Director Jim Supica. “America’s Rifleexplores the advancements in firearms technology that paved the way for this rifle to be so safe, reliable, and adaptable to almost any situation.”

America’s Rifle will be on exhibit in the National Firearms Museum in Fairfax, Virginia, until July 2016.

About the National Firearms MuseumThe National Firearms Museum, located at NRA Headquarters in Fairfax, Virginia, proudly promotes the role of firearms in the American experience with more than 2,400 guns on display. For more information, visit its www.nramuseums.com.

About the National Rifle AssociationEstablished in 1871, the National Rifle Association is America’s oldest civil rights and sportsmen’s group. Five million members strong, NRA continues its mission to uphold Second Amendment rights and is the leader in firearm education and training for law-abiding gun owners, law enforcement and the military. Visit http://nra.org.